Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced a change in the prosecution team for the May 2017 Tensing trial. Mr. Deters, Mr. Piepmeier and Mr. Gibson will no longer be assigned to the case. Chief Assistant Prosecutors Seth Tieger and Stacey DeGraffenreid will prosecute the Tensing case.

Prosecutor Deters explained, “Both the Tensing and Anthony Kirkland retrials are set in May 2017 and it would be impossible for me to adequately prepare for both cases. Even though one or both of these cases may be reset, it is important that both of these serious cases have prosecution teams who can devote the time needed to prepare for these retrials. Mr. Piepmeier, Mr. Gibson and I will handle serial killer Anthony Kirkland’s case and veteran prosecutors Seth Tieger and Stacey DeGraffenreid are now assigned to the Tensing case. Seth and Stacey will bring a fresh set of eyes to the case and will have the time necessary to prepare for the retrial. This was a hard decision for me, as I feel strongly about prosecuting the Tensing case myself, but it is crucial that both cases have prosecutors assigned who can properly prepare.”